NYC Showcase

The New York Senior Showcase is a culminating experience for senior B.F.A. Musical Theatre and Acting majors, and offers a tremendous opportunity for participants to synthesize and apply the rigorous training they have received at USD. At The Showcase, students perform before a large group of industry professionals during an exciting and intense week of auditions and workshops in New York City.

An additional benefit of the Showcase program is that not only do we take our students to New York to work with industry professionals, but through the connections we've made over the years, we've been able to bring several top New York artists to workshop with our students on-campus at USD. Acting coach Kimberly Vaughn, who is represented by several of her students in Broadway and national tours, came to USD in 2011. Talent agent Chris Nichols and musical director/vocal coach Dr. Bryan Wade came in subsequent years, and we actively continue to bring top artists to campus to work with our students.

In just the five short years that USD has been presenting a showcase in NYC, many of our graduates have used the showcase as a springboard to jumpstart their careers. A few examples include Cody Strand (BFA Acting, 2012), who secured an agent at the showcase, and within 18 months was playing Elder Cunningham in The Book of Mormon on Broadway. Kendra Bolan (BFA Musical Theatre, 2013), received multiple offers for representation after her showcase performance. She recently toured nationally with Theatreworks USA's production of Freedom Train. Liz Wright (BFA Musical Theatre 2011) is working successfully in New York City, with national commercial credits and an appearance on HBO's Boardwalk Empire.